SECTION 6. Teaching Life Skills. Tae Kwon Do is an Action Philosophy

Transcription

1 SECTION 6 Teaching Life Skills Tae Kwon Do is an Action Philosophy

2 Introduction to the World Class Tae Kwon Do Philosophy of Teaching Life Skills Teaching life skills through Tae Kwon Do training should be the goal of every dojang. Students improve their martial arts skills through hard training which also provides them with greater character development. Through physical training, their interactions with fellow students and the process of facing and overcoming obstacles, students gain a deeper sense of self awareness while developing their character. Therefore it is important that each dojang s curriculum, manual, and teaching methods be practical and balanced to teach both technical skills and life skills in a progressive and practical manner. The World Class Success for Life Curriculum is made up of ten skills or traits: focus, enthusiasm, goal setting, cooperation, self-control, perseverance, confidence, respect, responsibility, and leadership. Each of these life skills were chosen due to the fact that they are highly relevant to martial arts training. While such traits as morality, fidelity, faith and integrity are all admirable and valuable, they are somewhat difficult topics to directly relate back to Tae Kwon Do training. By comparison, these ten life skills are easier and more relevant for instructors to apply to daily activities in the Tae Kwon Do classroom The ten skills were chosen based on Tae Kwon Do masters practical experience along with input from parents, teachers, principals, child psychologists and school administrators. We designed our life skill curriculum to fit into four distinct stages of development. Level I Foundational Habits: focus, enthusiasm, and goal setting Level II: Interdependence Traits: cooperation and self control Level III: Fortitude: perseverance and confidence Level IV: Leadership Traits: respect, responsibility, and leadership 78

3 When it comes to teaching life skills, success is defined by both understanding and consistent application. In other words, it is not our goal to teach students merely the meaning of the words focus, cooperation and respect. Rather, we must develop in students, the habits of being focused, cooperative, and respectful. The World Class life skill system is flexible to apply to all areas of Tae Kwon Do training including the teaching of poomse, sparring, and self defense techniques. Through study and practice, instructors can learn to identify the opportunities that naturally occur during training to apply these life skill discussions Throughout this particular workbook numerous examples of teaching life skill messages to children are provided. However, with minor adjustments, the messages can be applied to adults as well. Admittedly, it is not easy to provide life skill training through Tae Kwon Do. However, if Tae Kwon Do dojangs maintain the goal of providing this instruction, they will be able to help every student to maximize their potential, and the dojang can become a greater resource to their community. 79

4 How to Use Life Skill phrases in the classroom As described in our mission statement, one of the goals of our school is to teach valuable skills for daily life. And in fact there are many lessons and benefits that students of all ages can take off of the mat and into the world. The majority of character education that we provide is not done by lecture, but rather is a natural result of the experiences that students encounter throughout their training. For example, progressing through the different belt ranks teaches students first-hand the value of patience, dedication, and perseverance. Partner training develops an appreciation for respect, cooperation, and humility. Performance opportunities such as belt testing, tournaments, and demonstrations build confidence, courage, and self esteem. Training alongside with others, working towards an ever increasing goal, continually striving to improve, all done in an atmosphere of sincerity and respect, is a powerful combination that will help students in all areas of their lives. This is why some call the martial arts an action philosophy. Students learn and grow by doing. At the same time, skilled instructors should consciously look for opportunities to comment on these positive traits as the opportunity presents itself during regular classroom events. Doing so helps students to understand and apply these traits more readily and consistently. There are two crucial pieces of knowledge that an instructor must possess in order to provide these messages properly. The first is a working definition of each life skill that is practical and age appropriate. If the message is too complicated or irrelevant to classroom activity, then it will be neither meaningful nor a good use of valuable classroom time. The goal for every instructor should always be to make all of their words and actions in the classroom as helpful as possible to every student. To assist all instructors, a list of each of the life skills taught in our system has been provided, along with what we feel is the most universal and applicable concepts for martial arts students. 80

5 The second, and perhaps even more challenging skill, is that of identifying when exactly to comment and on which life skill. For this reason, several examples of classroom activities and sample instructor comments are also included. The reality is that every moment in the dojang is a teachable moment. It is up to each individual instructor to utilize their knowledge of their students and the situation to determine which and what message is appropriate. It is important to understand that these examples do not represent the only ways to bring out these life skill messages. Instead, they are illustrations of how an instructor can highlight a particular life skill while still staying on task and maintain the momentum of the class. As with all teaching skills, experience and study will lead to greater abilities. As a professional instructor, you must continually practice, observe, and review how to communicate more effectively. In the long term, you will be able to take great pride in the success that your students achieve as a result of their hard work and your caring and expert guidance. The following is a list of the ten (one for each belt rank) life skills that instructors should emphasize when teaching. Each life skill was assigned to a particular belt rank where it will be highly relevant and thus easiest for instructors to naturally comment on. However, every belt level will certainly benefit from messages about any of these ten traits, and therefore, as you become more comfortable with the terminology you can certainly feel free to mix and match life skills and belt ranks. 81

6 White Belt: Focus Belt Rank White Belt World Class Life Skill & Student Definition Focus: Concentrate with your eyes, body, and mind Reason for emphasis at this level and application to martial arts Developing a focus habit will help new students to better learn their techniques and curriculum. They will also become more aware of the power of concentration Focus is the ability to maintain ones physical, mental, and emotional energy onto a particular task. It includes eye contact, paying attention, and posture. Sample Classroom Scenarios and Instructor Comments Praising Students For Their Attention Stance: I love the way everyone is standing so straight and tall and showing me your best concentration and focus Because you are so focused you will be able to learn a lot today Highlighting a student in Kicking Stance: Everyone please look at Jamie. She is setting a great example of how to focus. She has her hands up, her knees flexed and her eyes on her partner. I can clearly see that she is focused and ready. Encouraging a group of students to focus during their form: OK everyone I want to see your best form. That means not only do I want you to be trying your best with your body, but that I want you to focus all of your energy on each move. The ability to concentrate and to use your time well is everything. - Lee Iacocca The secret to success in any human endeavor is total concentration. - Kurt Vonnegut To do two things at once is to do neither. - Pubilius Syrus When walking walk, when eating, eat. - Zen Maxim Do whatever you do intensely. - Robert Henri 82

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8 Yellow Belt: Enthusiasm Belt Rank Yellow Belt World Class Life Skill & Student Definition Enthusiasm: Share your energy with others Reason for emphasis at this level and application to martial arts As they enter the color belt ranks it is vital that students develop a habit of training with energy and intensity. Whether they are learning a new technique or practicing repetitively on one they are already familiar with, students should always train with passion and excitement. Enthusiasm also includes maintaining a positive and optimistic attitude. In addition, the enthusiasm exhibited by just a few students is often contagious and the whole class becomes more enthusiastic as a result. Sample Classroom Scenarios and Instructor Comments Praise students kihap during choo-choom-sogi: That was a fantastic way to start our class. Everyone was kihapping loudly and I could see your effort on your faces. When you train with that kind of enthusiasm you give our class more energy and everyone will do better as a result. Keep it up! Point out two students who are training enthusiastically as partners: Jason and Kaitlyn, please demonstrate this drill for everyone and let s watch how they do it. Did you see that? Both of them are very enthusiastic.. They are really sharing their energy back and forth with their partner. I can see that they are working hard and also having a lot of fun. Let s all try to be enthusiastic partners. Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm. - Ralph Waldo Emerson A man can succeed at almost anything for which he has unlimited enthusiasm. - Charles Schwab People are just about as happy as they make up their minds to be. - Abraham Lincoln The best way to cheer yourself up is to cheer everybody else up. - Mark Twain Enthusiasm moves the world. - J. Balfour All we need to make us really happy is something to be enthusiastic about. - Charles Kingsley Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference. - Anonymous 84

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10 Green Stripe: Goal Setting Belt Rank Green Stripe World Class Life Skill & Student Definition Goal setting: Work hard to achieve your dreams Reason for emphasis at this level and application to martial arts Having attained their first few belts, we want the student to look back on their experience and realize how far they have come. At the same time we want them to set small step-by-step goals in harmony with the larger goal of earning their Black Belt. Goal setting is the ability to identify future skills and abilities that you want and having the discipline and work ethic necessary to achieve them Sample Classroom Scenarios and Instructor Comments Give guidance to students prior to meditation: Everyone, Lets set a goal during our meditation time. I want you to think about your form and imagine yourself performing it better than ever before. Let s first get a picture clear in our mind and then we will practice to make it happen. That is the power of goal setting. Congratulating students on belt promotion: Congratulations to everyone on achieving your new belts. Through your hard work you have brought yourself one step closer to Black Belt. Now it is time to set an even higher goal. Your next level will be even more challenging but you are ready for it and we will set and achieve those higher goals together. What you get by reaching your destination isn t nearly as important as what you become by reaching that destination. - Zig Ziglar Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss it, you will land among the stars. - Les Brown The person who makes a success of living is the one who sees his goal steadily and aims for it unswervingly. That is dedication. - Cecil B. DeMille First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do. - Epictetus 86

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12 Green Belt: Cooperation Belt Rank Green Belt World Class Life Skill & Student Definition Cooperation: Together everyone achieves more. Reason for emphasis at this level and application to martial arts As they are introduced to self defense partner drills, we want to be certain that students have an appreciation for the importance of working together. Over time they will come to appreciate what a tremendous difference having a good partner means to getting the most out of their training. Students should not only be motivated to be a good student but to be a good partner Cooperation is the skill of helping others. It also encompasses, respect, courtesy, and acceptance. Sample Classroom Scenarios and Instructor Comments Lining up: O.K. when I say line up I want to see everyone work together to line up quickly. This means you will have to use cooperation. Communicate with each other, help each other, and be willing to give up a place in line if that will help us to get done more quickly. When we cooperate we all look better and we get better results. One step sparring & Self-Defense: Remember the key to doing good one step sparring is cooperation between you and your partner. Each person has to give their best effort and motivate the other one. Also try hard to help your partner by cooperating with whatever technique they are working on. We make a living by what we get. But we make a life by what we give. - Winston Churchill Teamwork is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results. - Vince Lombardi Give and take makes good friends. - Scottish Proverb Happiness is a by-product of helping others. - Denny Miller Everyone needs help from everyone. - Bertolt Brecht Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much. - Helen Keller Great opportunities to help others seldom come but small ones surround us every day. - Sally Koch 88

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14 Blue Stripe: Self Control Belt Rank Blue Stripe World Class Life Skill & Student Definition Self Control: I am in charge of my behavior Reason for emphasis at this level and application to martial arts At this level the students strength and abilities continue to improve, therefore they must also learn to control their more advanced techniques. They should also become more aware of and have more control over their emotions. Self control relates with controlling one s actions and emotions. In addition to avoiding the negative, it also relates with applying good habits such as staying focused, and training hard. Sample Classroom Scenarios and Instructor Comments Safety warning during kicking drills: During this next drill I want you to kick as fast and as close to your partner as possible. That means that you have to have good self control. Staying focused on exactly what you are doing will allow you to practice this drill safely at a high level of intensity. Sparring: Remember we are going to be doing no contact sparring, so I want you to always use excellent control to avoid hitting your partner. If your partner does make contact with you it will be an accident so use self control and avoid getting angry or losing your temper. If contact occurs, bow to one another as a way of apologizing and accepting the apology. The angry man will defeat himself in battle as well as in life. - Samurai Maxim Control your emotion or it will control you. - Chinese Adage The only way to get the best of an argument is to avoid it. - Anonymous He who loses control of his emotions gives his opponent a powerful ally. - Anonymous Anger is only one letter short of danger. - Anonymous Part of the happiness of life consists not in fighting battles, but in avoiding them. A masterly retreat is in itself a victory. - Norman Vincent Peale 90

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16 Blue Belt: Perseverance Belt Rank World Class Life Skill & Student Definition Sample Classroom Scenarios and Instructor Comments Reason for emphasis at this level and application to martial arts Blue Belt Perseverance: Never Give Up! Blue Belt begins the first of several levels that will be more challenging to learn and require more time for advancement. Students at this stage need to understand that progress will require patience and that some of their most rewarding experiences will come from overcoming obstacles that were not easily mastered. Persevering also includes being open minded to the idea that there is still more to learn. If students continually seek out new levels of understanding and execution of their techniques they will be more motivated to persevere. Introducing spinning kick: Today we will start working on spinning kick. For most of you this will be one of the more challenging kicks you have learned. Therefore, I don t want you to be discouraged if you can t do it well at first. Learning how to throw a good spinning kick will take perseverance. That means you will need to practice over and over again and be patient. I know that you will be very proud of yourself when you break your first board with a spinning kick as a result of persevering. Learning to be patient about tips and belts: Before we break for curriculum, I want to remind everyone how important perseverance is for earning tips and belts at these higher belts. Your requirements are more challenging and your expectations are going to be higher. If your instructors tell you that you have to learn how to do something a little bit better or that you need more practice, I want you to be patient and persevere. Accept your instructors advice. If you keep working to improve, the results will happen. Energy and persistence conquer all things. - Benjamin Franklin Success is a journey, not a destination. - Ben Sweetland Your own resolution to success is more important than any other one thing. - Abraham Lincoln Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt. - Motto of the Special Olympics It does not matter how slowly you go, so long as you do not stop. - Confucius Many of life s failures are men who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up. Thomas A. Edison We can do anything we want to do if we stick with it long enough. - Helen Keller 92

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18 Red Stripe: Confidence Belt Rank World Class Life Skill & Student Definition Reason for emphasis at this level and application to martial arts Red Stripe Confidence: Believe in Yourself Being positive and certain when executing techniques impacts that technique s speed and power. It translates into a bolder body language and self expression. Having confidence in ones ability also can serve as a guard against anxiety, frustration, and self doubt. When students possess confidence they perform better technically and with greater pride. In addition, they should get along better with others because they do not feel threatened or insecure when other students become skilled as well. They will be welcoming and encouraging to new classmates and training partners. Sample Classroom Scenarios and Instructor Comments Choo-Choom-Sogi: I want to see and hear everyone s confidence when you punch. You have done this technique hundreds of times so I want to kihap loudly and give me your full emotional energy. I want to see in your face that you believe in your ability and that you can perform with pride. Board breaking: When you get ready to break a board it is important that you start with confidence. This means that as you set up you need to be telling yourself, I can do it. Believing in yourself is the first step to being successful. Even if the board does not break on the first try, I want you to remain calm and confident and try it again. Winners expect to win in advance. - Anonymous What a man thinks of himself, that is what determines, or rather indicates, his fate. - Henry David Thoreau Self confidence is the first requisite to great undertakings. - Samuel Johnson The worst loneliness is not to be comfortable with yourself. - Mark Twain Life is a self fulfilling prophecy. - Anonymous Confidence is that feeling by which the mind embarks on great and honorable courses with a sure hope and trust in oneself. - Cicero No one can make you feel inferior without your consent. - Eleanor Roosevelt 94

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20 Red Belt: Respect Belt Rank Red Belt World Class Life Skill & Student Definition Respect: Treat others the way you want to be treated Reason for emphasis at this level and application to martial arts As students wear their first senior belt, it is important that they remain humble and open minded. They should be proud of their accomplishments but also appreciative to everyone who has and will continue to help them. Respect includes observing the proper protocols of Tae Kwon Do. This includes respectful responses and bowing. It also refers to having a deeper concern for the opinions and interests of others. Sample Classroom Scenarios and Instructor Comments Lining up: As senior belts I want you to set a great example of respect from the very beginning of your class. Start with a loud and clear respectful answer. Then find your positions quickly and quietly and stand in a great attention stance. When your junior belts see you line up respectfully they will copy your example. Kicking drills: Do you know the number one way you can show respect to your partners? It s by giving your best effort and training as hard as you can. This demonstrates to your partner that you want to help them get better and that you are taking your time together seriously. Let s greet our partners respectfully with a sincere bow and promise to work together respectfully. Think of respect not as a duty, but as a privilege. - George Washington Some pursue happiness, others create it through courteous acts. - Gandhi Seek first to understand and then to be understood. - Dr. Stephen Covey 96

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22 Black Stripe: Responsibility Belt Rank Black Stripe World Class Life Skill & Student Definition Responsibility: Do the right thing Reason for emphasis at this level and application to martial arts At the Black stripe level, students possess a fairly strong understanding of their techniques and what is expected of them. They should possess the maturity and self discipline that they always follow the instructors direction to the best of their ability. At the same time they should also be starting to take more responsibility for themselves. They should be able to practice on their own and be diligent and determined even when no one is directly watching them. Responsibility also refers to maintaining commitments, keeping promises, and being a person of your word. Sample Classroom Scenarios and Instructor Comments Practicing for testing: We are going to break into groups and I want you to work on your forms for testing. Now there will be a few minutes in between when I get to each group. Therefore you will have to take responsibility for yourself and practice on your own.. I think that at your level, I can trust that you will be responsible enough to practice without wasting time or taking it easy. Be responsible and do your best! Responsibility for equipment and uniform: Let s all remember that as senior belts we should take responsibility for all of our Tae Kwon Do equipment and our uniform. I want you to take personal pride in having your uniform look neat and clean. You are also responsible for remembering your safety gear at each class. Following through on your responsibilities shows that you are becoming more mature and more of a leader. Men grow by making decisions and assuming responsibility for them. - Bill Marriot Sr. The price of greatness is responsibility. - Winston Churchill The time is always right to do what is right. - Martin Luther King, Jr. In the long run we shape our lives and we shape ourselves. The process never ends until we die. And the choices we make are ultimately our own responsibility. - Eleanor Roosevelt Human happiness and responsibility to others are inseparably connected. - George Washington 98

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24 Double Black Stripe: Leadership Belt Rank Double Black Stripe World Class Life Skill & Student Definition Leadership: Show the way by setting a proper example Reason for emphasis at this level and application to martial arts As the student grows closer to achieving their Black Belt they must recognize that they have become a role model to others. They must continually give their best and lead by example Leadership includes leading the way for others but it also includes self leadership. Students at advanced levels will do well to remember that the first rule of being a good leader is to be a good follower. Sample Classroom Scenarios and Instructor Comments Presenting expectations: As double black stripes, I will not only be looking at your techniques but also at your leadership. As you get closer and closer to testing for your Black Belt, I want to see you being a good leader for others. You should set a good example by demonstrating respect, being helpful to your junior belts and of course always doing your best. Preparing for Black Belt testing: Preparing for your Black Belt test is going to involve a lot of hard work and repetition. It requires an ongoing dedication to continuous improvement. Leadership means that, as good as you are, you constantly strive to become better. People don t care how much you know until they know how much you care. - John Maxwell The fullness or emptiness of life will be measured by the extent to which a man feels that he has an impact on the lives of others. - K. Breaster The speed of the leader determines the rate of the pack. - Anonymous Leaders are like eagles, they don t flock, you find them one at a time. - Anonymous We cannot hold a torch to light another s path without brightening our own. - Ben Sweetland Example is not the main thing in influencing others. It is the only thing. - Albert Schweitzer 100

25 Conclusion Once again, while each of these examples presents only one particular life skill, the reality is that virtually any of the ten could be mentioned at any point during training. Attention stance can be presented as an example of self control, partner drills can be used to emphasize cooperation and respect, and forms training can be a tool to bring out the value of enthusiasm, confidence, and goal setting. By familiarizing yourself with the terminology and definitions of the life skills that we have chosen, you should find frequent opportunities to include life skills in a few sections of your classes. Look carefully in front of you - the opportunity to share these concepts is always present. Whenever you see an outstanding example of any of the ten life skills you should point it out. In addition, if you feel a particular class could use improvement in one of the ten areas, you should actively look for opportunities to bring the topic out during your class. As mentioned earlier, students learn by doing so always be sure to make your comments brief and to the point. The combination of day to day experience combined with your periodic guidance will truly help students to grow both as martial artists and as individuals. Notes & Role Play: 101